Iowa Old Press
The Miner's Express
Dubuque,Dubuque Co., Iowa
Wednesday, December 19, 1849
Page 2
FEMALE SCHOOL
MISS E. CALDER has just opened a School for Young
Ladies, in the rooms formerly occupied by the Land Office, in the
Langworthy Block, and respectfully solicits Scholars. TUITION PER
TERM FOR 12 WEEKS
Ordinary English Branches and Sewing - $3.00
Higher do do do do do - $4.00
French and Drawing, each - $5.00
Or either, with all the Englsih branches-$7.00
And all for the studies --$10.00
Dubuque, Sept. 12, 1849
OBITUARY
FRANCIS CHARLES SMITH, of the Firm of F.C. & E.H.
Smith, of this City, died on the 12th inst. He was a member of
the Congregational Church. His piety was of that decisive
character where practice takes the lead of profession, and the
example is ever in the advance of precept. He was an exact and
punctual businessman, but a more zealous and faithful Christian.
He was attentive to business, but unwavering in duty. With him
the counting room and prayer meeting seemed to sustain an
intimate relation; and while he never neglected the former, he
was never absent from, nor late to the latter. His business
habits and manner illustrated his religion, and his devotion to
the last, was the secret to his succession the first.
Christianity adorned his life, and his life adorned his
profession. He lived in but above the world, he tasted of its
pleasures, but they were the pleasures of benevolence and faith,
he engaged ardently in its pursuits, but he made them to subserve
and exemplify his religion.
That such a life could have gained the victory over death; is
natural, but the character of that victory, no adequate
conception could have been formed. His business was pleasing and
prosperous. He was in the prime of life. But five days
previously, his health, for fifteen years, had been
uninterrupted. Few have had greater cause of attachment to, and
not higher assurance of long life. Death came emphatically at an
unexpected, but not at an unexpected moment. It found his house
in order. After an illness of scarcely five days, and which he
had borne with a Christian fortitude that led many if not all, to
mistake its severity, he became conscious that the hand of death
was upon him. Oh, what a scene now burst upon those who, in great
numbers gathered around his bedside. He seemed for four hours
upon the trembling verge of Eternity, breathless with anxiety to
depart, but still willing to remain until his Master's will was
done. As the moment of dissolution approached, so did the scenes,
the employments, and the joys of Heaven. At no moment of his life
had given evidence of so nice discrimination of character, of
such freshness of memory, of such brilliancy of intellect. This
was manifest in the various counsel which he gave to those who,
in their turn, received his last farewell. The point of greatest
danger of impenitent, and of the weakest faith in the professor,
where the subjects to which his thoughts were directed with
astonishing discernment and certainty. So lucid was his mind, so
unquestionable was his faith, so ardent his oft repeated desire
to depart and be with Christ; so convincing the character of his
triumph, that no one who witnesses his departure, would have
arrested or detained it id they could.
Such, very briefly and faintly, in the outline of an event which,
if it were not with example, would be convincing proof in the
minds of everyone of its numerous witnesses, of the truth and
power of the Gospel.
His funeral took place at 2 o'clock on Friday the 14th inst., at
the Congregational Church, where a fitting and eloquent sermon
was preached by Rev. JNO. C. HOLBROOK, to a very large and solemn
audience.
[transcribed by C.M., January 2019]